Manufacture of cigarettes



-w. F. M. EDWARDS MANUFACTURE OF C IGARETTE S Filed Nov. 28, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 Sheets-Sheet 55 w. F. M. EDWARDS MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES Filed Nov. 28, 1954 v William Z 0. [(Zm/d 'Zf .IMW

W 9 wQF. M. EDWARDS 2,014,680)

\ MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES Filed Nov. 28, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 F?" "fQW Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIE MANUFACTURE OF CIGARETTES Application November 28, 1934, Serial No. 755,210 In Great Britain September 27, 1933 23 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of cigarettes and is particularly concerned with the manufacture on the continuous rod principle of cigarettes, provided with filter tips or mouthpieces, by a method. wherein parts of the continuous tobacco filling deposited on the paper strip from the feed hopper are removed at spaced intervals while the tobacco filling is passing from the feed hopper to the garnisher tube, and filter tips or mouthpieces applied in place of the removed tobacco so that when the paper strip is formed into a tube it encloses a continuous filling consisting of alternate lengths of tobacco and of filter tip or mouthpiece material, the filling being subsequently severed into lengths to provide cigarettes each containing a filter tip or mouthpiece.

The invention has for its object to provide improved, simple and effective means applicable to continuous rod cigarette-making machines of the 2.0 type usually employed, whereby the method may be carried into effect.

According to the invention, an apparatus is provided for the manufacture of cigarettes on the continuous rod principle comprising mecha- 5 nisms for continuously depositing tobacco on the paper strip, separating parts of the tobacco filling from the paper strip during its passage from the tobacco feed hopper to the tube-forming means, severing such parts of the tobacco from 30 the tobacco filling, removing the severed parts of the filling and applying corresponding lengths of filter tip or mouthpiece material on to the paper strip in place of the tobacco removed.

According to the invention, moreover, the im- 35 proved apparatus may comprise means for continuously depositing tobacco on the paper strip while in a trough formation, causing the paper strip after receiving the tobacco to open out fiat, or substantially fiat, and inserting a separating lade between a part of the tobacco to be removed and the paper strip, raising the tobacco on the blade and gripping the tobacco between the blade and a member extending over the tobacco filling, severing the tobacco so gripped, discharging the severed part of the tobacco and applying a corresponding length of filter tip or mouthpiece material to the paper strip in place of the tobacco removed.

The invention furthermore includes improved apparatus for the manufacture on the continuous rod principle of cigarettes provided with filter tips or mouthpieces, which consists in means for causing a gripping device, comprising a blade and a gripping member, to move laterally in relation 2 to the paper strip so that the blade is inserted between the tobacco filling and the paper strip and the gripping member is disposed above the tobacco filling, moving the blade towards the gripping member so as to grip a part of the tobacco filling against the latter, severing such part i from the tobacco filling, withdrawing the gripping device with the severed part of the filling,

stripping the tobacco from the gripping device and depositing a length of filter tip or mouthpiece material upon the paper strip in the space 10 so formed.

More particularly the mechanism of the present invention comprises means such as a blade or like separating member adapted for insertion between the tobacco filling and the paper strip carrying 5 the same, means for gripping the tobacco disposed on the said separating blade, cutters arranged and actuated so as to sever the said part of the tobacco from the continuous filling, means for discharging the severed part of the tobacco filling, and means for applying a length of filter tip or mouthpiece material on to the paper strip in place of the tobacco which has been removed therefrom. If the paper strip carrying the tobacco filling is fed intermittently, the apparatus may be arranged to operate at a fixed position. When the paper strip carrying the tobacco filling moves continuously however, the apparatus is carried on a reciprocatable slide which is operated in such manner that during the operations referred to the apparatus moves forward with and at the same speed as the paper strip. Filter tip depositing means may be associated or combined with the means for gripping, severing and removing parts of the tobacco filling and when the apparatus is carried on a reciprocating carriage means may be provided for feeding filter tips or the like to the depositing means prior to the commencement of the forward movement of the apparatus.

The tobacco may be stripped from the gripping device by means of a stationary member adapted to engage between the blade and the gripping member of the gripping device. I

Furthermore, in order to facilitate the insertion of the separating blade or member between the tobacco and the paper strip the paper strip may be, caused to be moved downwardly or diverted away from the tobacco filling by suction or other suitable means. The invention is hereinafter described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section illustrating one embodiment of apparatus in 210- cordance with the invention as applied to a continuous rod machine in which tobacco is continuously deposited from a feed hopper on to a paper strip while the latter is caused to assume a trough-like formation by the provision of a suitably guided forming belt;

Figure 2 is a cross-section on the line IIII of Figure l, and

Figures 3 to 6 are fragmentary cross-sectional views showing the relative disposition of the essential parts approximately at the positions A, B, C, D respectively indicated in Figure 1.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one embodiment and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, the paper strip I carrying the continuous tobacco filling 2 from the tobacco feed hopper 3 to the garnisher or other tube-forming means 4 is, during a part of its passage from the feed hopper 3 to the device 4, caused to open out fiat, or substantially fiat, for the lateral insertion between the tobacco filling 2 and the paper strip I of a separating blade or member 5. The paper strip I is caused to assume a trough-like formation while passing beneath the feed hopper 3 by means of a belt 6 guided around a pulley 5a. A second forming belt I guided around a pulley Ia is provided to reform the strip I and the filling 2 for entry into the device 4. A suction box 8 is provided in a platform 9 extending between the pulleys 6a, Ta, such platform 9 having a depression 9a in its upper surface. Holes 8a extend from the suction box 8 to the surface of the depression 9a in the platform 9 so that as the paper strip I passes over the platform 9 it is maintained by suction in contact with the upper surface of the platform 9 and is thereby separated from the tobacco filling 2, as illustrated in Figure 1. The blade 5 is mounted on a lever 50 which is pivoted by means of a pin 5a to a carriage I0 slidable transversely on a main reciprocatable carriage II. The carriage I8 is provided with a projecting arm Illa which extends above the blade 5 and constitutes a gripping member against which the tobacco may be held by the blade 5. Reciprocation of the carriage I8 in relation to the carriage II may be effected by a cam Iflb co-operating with a roller I'Jc on a lever ma pivoted to one end wall Ha of the carriage II and having a slot Ille co-operating with a pin Inf projecting from the carriage IS, the cam IOb effecting the withdrawal movement of the carriage ID the forward movement of which is effected by tension springs IIlg.

The cams Mb, 5b are mounted on shafts I2, I3 respectively carried in bearings in the end walls Ha of the carriage i! and geared together by gears IZa, I3a. The shaft I2 may have an extension I22) (Figure 1) provided with a key I20 or the equivalent for engaging a driving sleeve I4. The end walls Ila also carry a spindle I5 provided ,with a gear lea meshing with the gear I2a, such spindle carrying a pair of rotary cutters IS.

The projecting arm Illa of the carriage I0 is provided at its outer end with a filter tip-receiving chamber Iilh which is fitted with a plunger I1 operated by means of a lever IIa pivoted at I'Ib to the carriage IQ and operated by means of a cam IIc engaging a projection PM on the lever IIa, the return movement of the plunger I! being effected. by means of a spring He. The head or lower portion of the plunger IT is formed with a semi-cylindrical groove I'Ij and advantageously with an end stop I'Ig. A member I8 fixedly mounted upon the bed 23 is provided for stripping the tobacco from the gripping device during the forward movement of the carriage II the reciprocation of which is effected through suitable mechanism operating, from example, through the rod I9.

An intermittently rotatable drum 29 or equivalent device is mounted at a suitable position so that filter tips 24 previously inserted into chambers therein from a filter tip-forming unit 2I, may be ejected by a plunger 22 into the chamber IOh when the carriage II is at the end of its backward stroke.

In Figures 1 and 2 the carriage II is at the end of its backward stroke and the carriage I0 also is in its rearmost position so that the blade 5 is withdrawn clear of the paper strip I. Prior to the commencement of the forward movement of the carriage I I a length of filter tip or mouthpiece material 24 is ejected from the drum 20 by means of the plunger 22 and is thereby positioned in the chamber IOh with the end of the filter tip 24 or the like abutting the stop I'Ig on the plunger IT, the filter tip 24 or the like being held frictionally in position in the chamber Iflh.

As the carriage II moves forward the carriage I8 is projected laterally towards the paper strip I so that at the position A, Figure l, the parts have taken up the positions shown in Figure 3 in which the blade 5 has entered between the paper strip I and the tobacco filling 2, it being understood that the shafts I2, I3 and I5 are rotated by the telescopic driving connection constituted by the sleeve l4 and the shaft extension I2b.

As the carriage II travels further forward the cam 5b permits the blade 5 to be raised by the action of the spring 5d into the position shown in Figure 4 in which a part of the tobacco filling 2 is gripped against the under face of the arm Ifla. While the carriage IE! remains in the forward position the cutters I6 sever the part of the tobacco filling gripped between the blade 5 and the arm Illa and the carriage I0 then commences its return movement to its initial position carrying with it the severed part of the tobacco filling, as shown in Figure 5. C to the position D, indicated in Figure l, the severed part of the tobacco is stripped from the gripping device by the member I8 which passes between the blade 5 and the under face of the arm Ina.

At or near the completion of the forward stroke of the carriage H the plunger I! is operated by the cam Ilc so as to eject the filter tip 24 or the like from the chamber h and position it on the paper strip I, as illustrated in Figure 6. riage II then returns to its initial position.

If desired members (not shown) supported from the carriage 50 may be inserted beneath the tobacco filling so that their inner or adjacent edges are spaced a small distance from the respective edges of the blade or separating member sufficient for the passage of the cutters so as to ensure a clean cut and to support the adjacent parts of the continuous filling during the cutting operation.

The application of the length of filter tip or mouthpiece material advantageously takes place at a position as near as possible to the point at which the edges of the paper strip are brought together so that such length of material has insuificient time to expand before the paper strip is wrapped around the same.

According to a modification, the necessity of flattening out the paper strip may be obviated by Val In passing from the position 5 The car- 55 utilizing a semi-cylindrical or suitably curved separating member which isso mounted and operated as to pass between the inner face of the trough-shaped paper strip and the continuous tobacco. filling carried thereby. In this case the severing of the tobacco may be efiected by vertically reciprocatable knives, the separating member preferably being raised away from the paper strip prior to orrduring the cutting operation and being withdrawn clear of the strip so as to carry the severed tobacco away for discharge in any suitable manner. A presser pad may be arranged to grip the tobacco on the separating member during the severing operation and during the Withdrawal of the severed tobacco from the paper strip. It will be appreciated that owing to the maintenance of a trough formation of the paper strip the inserted length of filter tip or mouth- .piece material is more readily located and after its application to the paper strip the latter is immediately wrapped around the same.

The invention is applicable f or'use with any suitable kind of filter tip or mouthpiece. For instance, filter tips formed of layers of material such as crepe paper with or without intervening layers of absorbent material and of any suitable crosssectional formation may be employed suitable means being provided, if necessary, for retaining the cylindrical formation of the filter tip prior to and during its application to the paper strip and while the paper strip is being wrapped therearound. Alternatively, lengths of other filter ip material, such as cottonwool, may be applied, or tubular or like mouthpieces which may or may not contain filtering material or elements.

It will be understood that the invention provides a modification of the usual continuous rod cigarette-making machine whereby cigarettes having filter tips or equivalent mouthpieces may be produced at the high speed which is inherent in such continuous rod machines.

It will, furthermore, be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, as the means employed to carry out the method specified may be modified in various Ways. For example, the means for applying the lengths of filter tip or mouthpiece material to the paper strip may be separate from the tobacco-severing and removing means although operating in timed relation thereto, and the apparatus may be modified to operate in conjunction with continuous rod machines of various kinds.

What I claim is:-

1. Apparatus for placing insertions in the filling of acontinuous cigarette rod, comprising a separating member adapted for insertion between the tobacco filling and the paper strip carrying the same, means for gripping the tobacco disposed on the said separating member, cutters to sever the gripped part of the tobacco from the continu ous filling, means for discharging the severed part of the tobacco filling, and means for applying a length of filter tip or mouthpiece material. on to the paper strip in place of the tobacco which has been removed therefrom.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for gripping, severing and removing the parts of the tobacco filling iscarried on a re- ;ciprocatable carriage which is operated in such ;manner that the apparatus moves forward with and at the same speed as the paper strip, and including filter tip-depositing means associated with {the means for gripping, severing and. removing i parts of the tobacco filling.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for causing the paper strip to be moved downwardly away from the tobacco filling prior to the insertion of the separating blade or member.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, means for supporting a strip of cigarette tube-forming material having a tobacco filling thereon, means for raising the tobacco from said paper, and means for removing a section from the tobacco filling while raised from the paper.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, means for supporting a strip of cigarette tube-forming material having a tobacco filling thereon, means for raising the tobacco from said paper, means for removing a section from the tobacco filling while raised from the paper, and means for positioning an insertion in place of the section of tobacco removed.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, means for supporting a strip of cigarette tube-forming material having a tobacco filling thereon, a suction device for drawing the paper down from the tobacco filling, means for gripping a section of the tobacco filling while the paper is separated therefrom, and means for severing the gripped section of tobacco for removal.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, means for supporting a strip of cigarette tube-forming --material having a tobacco filling thereon, a suction device for drawing the paper down from the tobacco filling, means for gripping a section of the tobacco filling while the paper is separated therefrom, means for severing the gripped section of tobacco for removal, and means for positioning an insertion in place of the section of tobacco removed.

8. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tubefcrming paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, means on said carriage for vertically separating the tobacco filling and the paper strip, and means for removing a section from the tobacco filling while separated from the strip.

9. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tubeforzmng paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, means on said carriage for vertically separating the tobacco filling and the paper strip, means for removing a section from the tobacco filling while separated from the strip, and means for position- "!ing an insertion on said strip in place of the secdisposed thereon, a. reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, means on said carriage for gripping a section of tobacco, means for severing the gripped section of tobacco, means for shifting the gripping means for removing the severed section of tobacco, and

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means for positioning an insertion on said strip :in place of the section of tobacco removed.

12. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tube-forming paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip,

a shiftable frame mounted on said carriage for transverse sliding movement, an arm on said frame extending over the strip of paper, a gripper member mounted on said frame beneath said arm for vertical movement, means for shifting said frame to position said gripper member between the paper strip and the tobacco carried thereby, means for moving said gripper member up toward said arm to grip a section of the tobacco therebetween, and means for severing the gripped section.

13. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of ciga rette tube-forming paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, a shiftable frame mounted on said carriage for transverse sliding movement, an arm on said frame extending over the strip of paper, a gripper member mounted on said frame beneath said arm for vertical movement, means for shifting said frame to position said gripper member between the paper strip and the tobacco carried thereby, means for moving said gripper member up toward said arm to grip a section of the tobacco therebetween, means for severing the gripped section, and means for returning the frame to its initial position to remove the severed section of tobacco.

14. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tube-forming paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, a shiftable frame mounted on said carriage for transverse sliding movement, an arm on said frame extending over the strip of paper, a gripper member mounted on said frame beneath said arm for vertical movement, means for shifting said frame to position said gripper member between the paper strip and the tobacco carried thereby, means for moving said gripper member up toward said arm to grip a section of the tobacco therebetween, means for severing the gripped section, means for returning the frame to its initial position to remove the severed section of tobacco, and means car ried by said arm for positioning an insertion on said paper strip in placeof the section of tobacco removed.

15. A machine according to claim 10, including means for drawing the paper down from the tobacco filling to facilitate insertion of the gripping means between the tobacco and paper strip.

16. A machine according to claim 12, including means for separating the tobacco from the paper strip'to facilitate insertion of the gripper member between the tobacco and paper strip.

17. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tube-forming paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a recipr-ocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, means on said carriage for vertically separating the tobacco filling and the paper strip, means for removing a section from the tobacco filling while separated from the strip, and means for discharging the removed section of tobacco from the removing means.

18. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tube-forming paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, means on said carriage for gripping a section of tobacco, means for severing the gripped section of tobacco, means for shifting the gripping means for removing the severed section of tobacco, and means for discharging the removed section of tobacco from the gripping means.

19. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tube-forming paper having a tobacco filling disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, a shiftable frame mounted on said carriage for transverse sliding movement, an arm on said frame extending over the strip of paper, a gripper member mounted on said frame beneath said arm for vertical movement, means for shifting said frame to position said gripper member between the paper strip and the tobacco carried thereby, means for moving said gripper member up toward said arm to grip a section of the tobacco therebetween, means for severing the gripped section, means for returning the frame to its initial position to remove the severed section of tobacco, and means for discharging the severed section of tobacco from the gripper member.

20. In a continuous rod cigarette machine, means for supporting a travelling strip of cigarette tube-forming paper having a tobacco fill ing disposed thereon, a reciprocable carriage mounted to move for a distance with said travelling strip, means on said carriage for gripping a section of tobacco, means for severing the gripped section of tobacco, means for shifting the gripping means for removing the severed section of tobacco, and stationary means for engaging the removed section of tobacco as the carriage is moved to discharge the tobacco from the gripping means.

21. Apparatus for placing insertions in the filling of a continuous cigarette rod, comprising a separating member adapted for insertion between the tobacco filling and the paper strip carrying the same, means for gripping the tobacco disposed on the said separating member, cutters to sever the gripped part of the tobacco from the continuous filling, means for discharging the severed part of the tobacco filling, means for applying a length of filter tip or mouthpiece material on to the paper strip in place of the tobacco which has been removed therefrom, a reciprocable carriage for carrying said means for gripping, severing and removing the parts of the tobacco filling, and means for actuating said carriage to cause it to move forward at the same speed as the paper strip.

22. Apparatus for placing insertions in the filling of a continuous cigarette rod, comprising a separating member adapted for insertion between the tobacco filling and the paper strip carrying the same, means for gripping the tobacco disposed on the said separating member, cutters to sever the gripped part of the tobacco from the continuous filling, means for discharging the severed part of the tobacco filling, and means for applying a length of filter tip or mouthpiece material on to the paper strip in place of the tobacco which has been removed therefrom, said discharging means comprising a stationary member adapted to engage between the separating member and the gripping means.

23. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism for gripping, severing and removing the parts of the tobacco filling is carried on a reciprocatable carriage which is operated in such manner that the apparatus moves forward with and at the same speed as the paper strip, and including filter tip depositing means associated with the means for gripping, severing and removing parts of the tobacco filling, and means for feeding filter tips to the depositing means prior to the commencement of the forward movement of the apparatus.

WILLIAM FREDERICK MAITLAND EDWARDS. 

